Free China JournalROC considers plan to develop its own missile defense system
Publish Date:08/27/99
Story Type:Political News;
Byline:Frank ChangMinister of National Defense Tang Fei confirmed Aug. 23 that the Republic of China is looking at plans to build its own comprehensive missile defense system.
Tang said the low-to-high-altitude system proposed in Taiwan is different from the U.S.-initiated theater missile defense system, or TMD.
The defense minister pointed out that in the past the principal concern was the threat posed by strategic ballistic missiles and intercontinental missiles. Today, however, Beijing's plans to develop low-altitude, cruise-type missiles constitute a more serious threat to Taiwan's security, Tang said.
His comments come amid a flare-up in tension between Taiwan and mainland China.
Tang stressed that because cruise missiles are more accurate, with a target accuracy of below 5 meters, they are more menacing than the other types of missiles.
He reassured the Taiwan public, however, that the ROC military is working on countermeasures against Beijing's development of cruise missiles.
"The establishment of a low-altitude missile defense system will be part of this countermeasure program," he said.
Tang commented that the locally produced system could also be referred to as "TMD," or Taiwan Missile Defense. He said low-altitude defense will be the focus of first-phase development of the Taiwan-built defense system.
"The urgent task at present is for the ROC military to establish a low-altitude missile defense system under the program to develop an overall missile defense infrastructure," Tang said.
According to the defense minister, Taiwan's low-altitude defense system will be able to effectively ward off attacks from traditional airborne forces as well as missiles. "But most importantly," he emphasized, "it can defend against the cruise missiles." As to whether Taiwan should join the U.S.-led TMD, which Washington has proposed as umbrella coverage for Japan, South Korea and other Asia-Pacific areas, Tang said the decision is a complicated one.
"The ROC is a democratic country. As such, even if the government were to make a positive evaluation that Taiwan should join the TMD, the decision would ultimately depend upon a nationwide consensus on the matter," he remarked.
The Taipei-based Central Daily News quoted an official of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as saying that the Ministry of National Defense is in the process of evaluating the TMD designed by the United States. The paper went on to say that Washington has agreed not to exclude Taiwan's participation in the TMD prior to a final determination by the ROC government.
Also, the MOFA official commented that Taipei has expressed the notion to Washington that the TMD should be regarded as one option rather than the only feasible prospect for defense in the region.
A draft administrative report approved by the Executive Yuan Aug. 19 disclosed that the ROC government has decided to establish a comprehensive missile defense system in a step-by-step fashion based on the financial capabilities.
Approval of the report, which will be released publicly when the Legislature convenes Sept. 17, came one day after ROC President Lee Teng-hui gave his backing to a Taiwan missile defense system.
In the report, it was revealed that the Defense Ministry has given top priority to the development of an early warning system to help counter the threat of missile strikes by mainland Chinese forces, a threat which is expected to increase in the years ahead.
The early warning system will allow the ROC military to take quick action against hostile aerial activities by enemy warplanes, thus creating more time for Taiwan's forces to implement countermeasures.
Commenting on the defense plans, Tseng Yung-chuan, a legislator of the ruling Kuomintang, said these efforts "reflect the will of Taiwan's residents." On Aug. 18, President Lee, who also serves as chairman of the KMT, asked the party's members who hold Cabinet posts to conduct a thorough study on the establishment of Taiwan's missile defense system.
The same day, the president heard a missile defense briefing by Tang at the weekly meeting of the KMT Central Standing Committee. After the defense minister's report, Lee said a missile defense system would not only meet Taiwan's current security needs but also would provide long-term protection.
In his 30-minute briefing, Tang analyzed the defensive, psychological, political and economic aspects of installing a comprehensive missile defense system.
According to media reports, during the meeting Tang stressed that an anti-missile system, especially the low-altitude defense system, is crucial to Taiwan's security. When combined with the ROC's other air defense measures, the low-altitude system would shield the island from airborne attacks, he noted.
Tang reportedly called on the government to embark on a campaign to ensure that the public does not become fearful of an imminent missile attack by mainland forces, as such fear can itself cause psychological damage to a nation.
He was also quoted as saying that, even though a missile defense system can reduce the immediate threat posed by mainland missiles, Taiwan's security will be further challenged in the decade to come. "Therefore, it is essential for the government to transform the armed forces," the defense minister said.
KMT spokesman Huang Hui-chen told reporters that Tang's briefing won praises from several members of the KMT Central Standing Committee.
During the meeting, former Defense Minister Chiang Chung-ling and former Secretary-General of the National Security Council Ding Mou-shih emphasized the importance of optimal protection for the nation. They urged an increase in the national defense budget.
On Aug. 19, U.S. State Department spokesman James Rubin said in Washington that the United States is keeping the door open for Taiwan to join the TMD.
"The United States would view with grave concern any use of force against Taiwan, and we do not preclude the possible sale of TMD-related systems to Taiwan in the future," Rubin said.
Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list
